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Virat Kohli vs AB de Villiers - Who is the better Test batsman?

SLcric123

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Although there has been many comparison threads in Odis between the two, but let's make one in tests.

Both have their own flaws. So who do you think is a better test batsmen of the two?
 
It is too early to compare them because AB is much further into his career. So far, AB has been better.
 
Please don't insult AB like this. On every pitch on the planet that isn't as flat as a national highway he is light years ahead of Kohli. Kohli's only claim to fame as a test batsman is that he can cash in like no one else on roads. Got embarrassed against Seam and swing multiple times and Lyon and O Keefe gave him a mugging at his home's turners at well. He can navigate bounce and pace but so can AB and at everything else Kohli is not even in the competition.
 
Kohli..

At least hasn’t abandoned the team when going became tough.
 
I criticize AB a lot, but comparing him with Kohli in the test format ? AB is far ahead at this moment.
 
Please don't insult AB like this. On every pitch on the planet that isn't as flat as a national highway he is light years ahead of Kohli. Kohli's only claim to fame as a test batsman is that he can cash in like no one else on roads. Got embarrassed against Seam and swing multiple times and Lyon and O Keefe gave him a mugging at his home's turners at well. He can navigate bounce and pace but so can AB and at everything else Kohli is not even in the competition.

Kohli got out to Lyon and Okeefe just twice in that series. AB is a better test batsman but it is high time you stop making things up.
 
Kohli because he can dominate the way AB can't. AB is more consistent overall but Kohli is better.

Whether he surpasses AB or not, we will have to wait for few years to make a conclusion.
 
Please don't insult AB like this. On every pitch on the planet that isn't as flat as a national highway he is light years ahead of Kohli.

The Key to this discussion is how you deduce that ... I suppose its flat when Kohli makes runs ? Heads I win Tails you lose ... :))
 
AB is better. Kohli hasn't even achieved 50% of the potential he promised. But i strongly believe he will eventually get there. He is aware of what it means to be a solid test batsman. Right now his shot selection is slightly iffy especially when you keep floating the ball outside the offstump.
 
I don't think indians consider kohli their best test player as well.

He is very inconsistent thats why his average barely touches 50
 
Some of these comparaisons makes no sense. AB has played int cricket longer than Virat. It would be a fair comparaison if both has played the same amount of time of international cricket or we can certainly compare AB of the past Vs Virat of the present (time wise). That would be a fair comparaison. Also, Let's not forget that AB is pretty much almost done with test cricket where as virat still has a long way to go.

My honest opinion, at the end of both careers, virat will be on top. Currently AB wins hands down.
 
ABDV, but the next few years will define what his (test) legacy would be, his decision to skip the England series was just appalling!
 
Although there has been many comparison threads in Odis between the two, but let's make one in tests.

Both have their own flaws. So who do you think is a better test batsmen of the two?

To clear things, I was talking about their performance when they retires.

Currently, its a no-brainer.
 
de Villiers simply because he has played a lot more, but Kohli will surpass him by the time he retires. He is already a better Limited Overs player and a far better captain.
 
de Villiers simply because he has played a lot more, but Kohli will surpass him by the time he retires. He is already a better Limited Overs player and a far better captain.

Even a stone will be a better captain than AB so it's not saying much.
 
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As of right now, AB has had the far better and more meaningful career, but I would be shocked if Kohli didnt end up being sen as far better by the time he retires.

one frame of reference: AB has scored 21 test hundreds, Kohli has already scored 17. Now, obviously hundreds ar only one stat, but its pretty telling.
 
ABD is miles better in test cricket. Kohli has achieved nothing comparable to AB's resume in tests.

ABD is also superior in ODI cricket but Kohli is the better T20 batsman and captain.
 
To clear things, I was talking about their performance when they retires.

Currently, its a no-brainer.

How do we do that? Kohli could get crippled tomorrow and have his career ended. AB could play till he's 40 or retire after his next game. Humans don't know what the future holds.
 
How do we do that? Kohli could get crippled tomorrow and have his career ended. AB could play till he's 40 or retire after his next game. Humans don't know what the future holds.

We do that exactly the same way as you did when you said " Normal services will resume" :))
 
Kohli hasn't surpassed AB yet in ODIs. Neither have won anything substantial for their team.
 
We do that exactly the same way as you did when you said " Normal services will resume" :))

That was based on history and well, your overseas cycle in coming up. We know what that means...
 
Kohli hasn't surpassed AB yet in ODIs. Neither have won anything substantial for their team.

ABD has been far better in World Cup matches. He did all he could to ensure South Africa reach the finals of the 2015 WC but Steyn bowled a rubbish delivery in the final over which was all it took for NZ to win.
 
Kohli has proved he is better than AB

This pitch was difficult to bat on but if you look at the overall record, AB always plays casually in tense situations. Whether that be in WC 11 quarterfinal where he got faf run out. Yes he is a great batsman but is well past his prime and Virat is definately ahead of him
 
By the same token, Amla has proved that he is better at 35 than Kohli is in his prime. :amla

One test should not be the deciding factors for these kind of debates. ABD has done far more than Kohli has in test cricket.
 
Why will one test will prove anything for anyone? That's absurd.
 
He is better than de Villiers across formats, and Amla isn’t even in the same league.

Limited Overs:

Kohli
de Villiers
huge gap
Amla

Tests:

Kohli
Amla
de Villiers
 
I do agree that Kohli will surpass ABD as a cricketer when he retires and perhaps across all formats but this conclusion isnt basing on this test or this series.

You have to understand that chasing 4th is always tough. Kohli failed to chase in 1st test while chasing only. Isn't it? So we can't really criticize AB for this failure. He already played his part in first two tests and they were tough batting pitches too.

In tests , Amla is a more tougher deal than AB IMO. Think this has to be Amla Vs Kohli in tests(although AB has been excellent too nevertheless). In ODIs, Kohli Vs AB is fine.
 
By the same token, Amla has proved that he is better at 35 than Kohli is in his prime. :amla

One test should not be the deciding factors for these kind of debates. ABD has done far more than Kohli has in test cricket.

And one specific series can be considered to make an impression of an entire career of a player?
 
He is better than de Villiers across formats, and Amla isn’t even in the same league.

Limited Overs:

Kohli
de Villiers
huge gap
Amla

Tests:

Kohli
Amla
de Villiers

:)))

ODIs:

ABD
Amla/Kohli

Tests:

Amla
substantial gap
ABD
substantial gap
Kohli

Kohli is just as big a choker as Amla has been in ODIs. Don't need to remind anyone about his performances in the 2011 WC final, 2015 WC semi-final or his double choke in the 2017 CT final. In bilaterals, all three of these guys have been giants and have done special things. Amla scoring more runs per innings and setting a new world record every time he reaches a milestone, Kohli chasing targets down like the Terminator chasing down the Connors and de Villiers destroying more attacks than I can remember and establishing himself as the second best ODI batsman of all time.

In tests, there is no comparison between the two South Africans and Kohli. What has Kohli achieved in his test career to date? Just look at how much Amla had done by the time he was 29-30.
 
And one specific series can be considered to make an impression of an entire career of a player?

Thus far, yes, because that is the only series he has played in England. By the end of the year, that'll change.
 
ABD is still better. Kohli is better in this series, but he has to perform like this for 1-2 years in test format.
 
In tests, there is no comparison between the two South Africans and Kohli. What has Kohli achieved in his test career to date? Just look at how much Amla had done by the time he was 29-30.

I actually looked at it.
[
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/43906.html?class=1;spanmax1=31+Mar+2013;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

Hashim Amla on his thirtieth birthday had 5785 Test runs at an average of 52.11 and 19 hundreds, inclusing one double hundred and a triple hundred.

Kohli, who is not yet thirty, has 5554 runs (231 less), at an average of 53.40(more), playing 4 less Tests, with 21 hundreds (2 more) and 6 200+ scores (4 more), but no triples.

They are comparable, with Kohli having in fact the slight edge, but your original statement is wrong.
 
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Kohli will surpass everyone. Never seen such a hungry player. Probably hungrier than Tendulkar. He just keeps elevating himself to new level.
 
I actually looked at it.
[
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/43906.html?class=1;spanmax1=31+Mar+2013;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

Hashim Amla on his thirtieth birthday had 5785 Test runs at an average of 52.11 and 19 hundreds, inclusing one double hundred and a triple hundred.

Kohli, who is not yet thirty, has 5554 runs (231 less), at an average of 53.40(more), playing 4 less Tests, with 21 hundreds (2 more) and 6 200+ scores (4 more), but no triples.

They are comparable, with Kohli having in fact the slight edge, but your original statement is wrong.

I wonder mr Bilal7 would come to answer that... Gone into hiding :P
 
Those who prefer ABDV should be doing so because he has played more tests to prove his price. Something Kohli couldn't afford so far but as time passes, he will emerge as better than everyone except perhaps Sachin and......

Abilitywise some can say ABD is better because of his mindless slogging and at the same rock solid defending. ABD did a blockathon in India but failed at last. Kohli doesn't have these abilities or he doesn't want it. He doesn't slog nor does boring blockathon. All his attacking shots are cricketing shots. He can block and block to deny the opposition victory if he wants since he doesn't lack any elements for that kind of game, but believe me or not Kohli will never go for such. He is a very positive player by nature who wouldn't compromise it for tuk tuking even under force of circumstances.

Kohli is a legendary batsman. Wait for a little more tests to see him in the pinnacle of greatness wher then he will not be rivalled by many.
====================================
 
:)))

ODIs:

ABD
Amla/Kohli

Tests:

Amla
substantial gap
ABD
substantial gap
Kohli

Kohli is just as big a choker as Amla has been in ODIs. Don't need to remind anyone about his performances in the 2011 WC final, 2015 WC semi-final or his double choke in the 2017 CT final. In bilaterals, all three of these guys have been giants and have done special things. Amla scoring more runs per innings and setting a new world record every time he reaches a milestone, Kohli chasing targets down like the Terminator chasing down the Connors and de Villiers destroying more attacks than I can remember and establishing himself as the second best ODI batsman of all time.

In tests, there is no comparison between the two South Africans and Kohli. What has Kohli achieved in his test career to date? Just look at how much Amla had done by the time he was 29-30.

Only in your world is Amla at the same level as Kohli in ODIs. No team in the world - including SA - would think twice before playing Kohli ahead of Amla in their ODI team.

There are two major tests of an ODI batsman - ability to perform in big games, and the ability to handle pressure of chasing big totals. Amla is a massive failure at both.

Kohli is the greatest chaser of all time, and although he hasn't performed to his capacity in knockouts yet, but only a fool would write him off. As his career progresses, he is answering all the questions that has been asked of him. He is on his way to becoming one of the very, very best batsman in history, something that is beyond the reach of Amla.

Kohli has already surpassed the South African duo as a cricketer and the gap is only going to widen from here on.
 
ABDV is like a journeyman. He is a bloody talented batsman. He didn't exactly do justice to his potential may be he is not as motivated as he should be. Kohli is a highly motivated individual.
 
Only in your world is Amla at the same level as Kohli in ODIs. No team in the world - including SA - would think twice before playing Kohli ahead of Amla in their ODI team.

There are two major tests of an ODI batsman - ability to perform in big games, and the ability to handle pressure of chasing big totals. Amla is a massive failure at both.

Kohli is the greatest chaser of all time, and although he hasn't performed to his capacity in knockouts yet, but only a fool would write him off. As his career progresses, he is answering all the questions that has been asked of him. He is on his way to becoming one of the very, very best batsman in history, something that is beyond the reach of Amla.

Kohli has already surpassed the South African duo as a cricketer and the gap is only going to widen from here on.

Why do you even bother? Kohli scored on difficult wickets and he still wouldn't give credit . After that I have realised he's not worth the time or effort. He's biased views are beyond a joke and absolutely embarrassing.
 
:)))

ODIs:

ABD
Amla/Kohli

Tests:

Amla
substantial gap
ABD
substantial gap
Kohli

Kohli is just as big a choker as Amla has been in ODIs. Don't need to remind anyone about his performances in the 2011 WC final, 2015 WC semi-final or his double choke in the 2017 CT final. In bilaterals, all three of these guys have been giants and have done special things. Amla scoring more runs per innings and setting a new world record every time he reaches a milestone, Kohli chasing targets down like the Terminator chasing down the Connors and de Villiers destroying more attacks than I can remember and establishing himself as the second best ODI batsman of all time.
In tests, there is no comparison between the two South Africans and Kohli. What has Kohli achieved in his test career to date? Just look at how much Amla had done by the time he was 29-30.

Agra ....I guess it's been shifted from there so probably Amritsar and it will be near to the border as well. its not now kohli or versus anybody else case. It's about you.And we all ppers care about you.
 
I actually looked at it.
[
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/43906.html?class=1;spanmax1=31+Mar+2013;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

Hashim Amla on his thirtieth birthday had 5785 Test runs at an average of 52.11 and 19 hundreds, inclusing one double hundred and a triple hundred.

Kohli, who is not yet thirty, has 5554 runs (231 less), at an average of 53.40(more), playing 4 less Tests, with 21 hundreds (2 more) and 6 200+ scores (4 more), but no triples.

They are comparable, with Kohli having in fact the slight edge, but your original statement is wrong.

What has Kohli achieved? That was my query, not how many runs he's scored and how many hundreds he has. If that is your sole criteria, Steven Smith is already the greatest batsman of all time barring Bradman.

Amla, by this age, already had legendary series in England, Australia and India whilst doing very well in another round of tours to those countries. Plus, he had tons against the likes of Ajmal in the UAE and Bond in NZ. Kohli has had one very good series in Australia but other than that, hasn't done much outside his comfort zone which is Asia (UAE and Pakistan not included, of course).

They're not comparable as of now. Let Kohli have similar series in England or South Africa and then we'll talk. The same can be said of the ABD vs Kohli debate but to a lesser extent because AB isn't as good as Amla.

Only in your world is Amla at the same level as Kohli in ODIs. No team in the world - including SA - would think twice before playing Kohli ahead of Amla in their ODI team.

There are two major tests of an ODI batsman - ability to perform in big games, and the ability to handle pressure of chasing big totals. Amla is a massive failure at both.

Kohli is the greatest chaser of all time, and although he hasn't performed to his capacity in knockouts yet, but only a fool would write him off. As his career progresses, he is answering all the questions that has been asked of him. He is on his way to becoming one of the very, very best batsman in history, something that is beyond the reach of Amla.

Kohli has already surpassed the South African duo as a cricketer and the gap is only going to widen from here on.

Chasing is only half of the ODI game and therefore, it is not any more significant than setting a score, which can be just as challenging. Kohli is ahead of where Amla was at his age so I do believe Kohli will go down as the better player in LOIs.
 
Chasing is only half of the ODI game and therefore, it is not any more significant than setting a score, which can be just as challenging. Kohli is ahead of where Amla was at his age so I do believe Kohli will go down as the better player in LOIs.

Dude ... you just dont understand cricket at all if you truly believe that or you are just trolling :facepalm:
 
What has Kohli achieved? That was my query, not how many runs he's scored and how many hundreds he has. If that is your sole criteria, Steven Smith is already the greatest batsman of all time barring Bradman.

Amla, by this age, already had legendary series in England, Australia and India whilst doing very well in another round of tours to those countries. Plus, he



Chasing is only half of the ODI game and therefore, it is not any more significant than setting a score, which can be just as challenging. Kohli is ahead of where Amla was at his age so I do believe Kohli will go down as the better player in LOIs.

Are you serious?
 
If chasing was more challenging than setting a score, every team would want to bat first. As it stands, most teams actually prefer chasing because then they know exactly how many runs they need to get. There are plenty of unknowns when it comes to setting a target. You have to figure out what a good total is on a given pitch and have to do it quickly.
 
What has Kohli achieved? That was my query, not how many runs he's scored and how many hundreds he has. If that is your sole criteria, Steven Smith is already the greatest batsman of all time barring Bradman.

Amla, by this age, already had legendary series in England, Australia and India whilst doing very well in another round of tours to those countries. Plus, he had tons against the likes of Ajmal in the UAE and Bond in NZ. Kohli has had one very good series in Australia but other than that, hasn't done much outside his comfort zone which is Asia (UAE and Pakistan not included, of course).

They're not comparable as of now. Let Kohli have similar series in England or South Africa and then we'll talk. The same can be said of the ABD vs Kohli debate but to a lesser extent because AB isn't as good as Amla.



Chasing is only half of the ODI game and therefore, it is not any more significant than setting a score, which can be just as challenging. Kohli is ahead of where Amla was at his age so I do believe Kohli will go down as the better player in LOIs.

You put forward a statement that at the age of 29-30 Amla and Kohli are not comparable. I gave statistics to show that statement was not true. Instead of accepting error and moving on, you are now just trying to change the goalposts.
 
Are you serious?
He will just change the goalposts. I showed stats saying that Kohli actually has more hundreds and double hundreds at a better average and now he says no, he has to perform in England and South Africa. Kohli has had excellent tours to SA everytime, and his down under Test record is also exemplary. But Bilal7 does not seem to be interested in facts, he just has his own agenda.
 
What has Kohli achieved? That was my query, not how many runs he's scored and how many hundreds he has. If that is your sole criteria, Steven Smith is already the greatest batsman of all time barring Bradman.

Amla, by this age, already had legendary series in England, Australia and India whilst doing very well in another round of tours to those countries. Plus, he had tons against the likes of Ajmal in the UAE and Bond in NZ. Kohli has had one very good series in Australia but other than that, hasn't done much outside his comfort zone which is Asia (UAE and Pakistan not included, of course).

Ummm, Kohli has had two excellent tours to South Africa. Amla had one legendary tour and one ordinary tour, where wickets definitely played a role. Also, a batsman's achievement is runs, and consistency. Same for a bowler, wickets and consistency. I am not downplaying Amla, I am just saying Kohli's records are actually as good as Amla's at comparable ages, which is a really high compliment.

And by the way, I do rate Steve Smith as one of the greatest Test batsmen ever, significantly ahead of Kohli in Tests. Any normal unbiased fan would do that too.
 
Long way to go, AB isn't even a great Test bat. Should aspire to reach the levels of Amla.
 
What has Kohli achieved? That was my query, not how many runs he's scored and how many hundreds he has. If that is your sole criteria, Steven Smith is already the greatest batsman of all time barring Bradman.

Amla, by this age, already had legendary series in England, Australia and India whilst doing very well in another round of tours to those countries. Plus, he had tons against the likes of Ajmal in the UAE and Bond in NZ. Kohli has had one very good series in Australia but other than that, hasn't done much outside his comfort zone which is Asia (UAE and Pakistan not included, of course).

They're not comparable as of now. Let Kohli have similar series in England or South Africa and then we'll talk. The same can be said of the ABD vs Kohli debate but to a lesser extent because AB isn't as good as Amla.

Kohli is already a great test batsman and he has just entered his peak whereas amla is at the twilight of his career. Amla is a very good batsman, no doubt about it. But the way u try big up amla and undermine kohli is quite laughable.


Kohli averages 62 in Australia, 71 in new Zealand and 55 in southafrica. Only place where he hasn't scored yet is in England and he'll obviously rectify that in his next tour.


But sadly I don't think amla will get another chance to improve his poor batting record in West indies where he averages only 20. See, how easy it is too demean a batsman by taking one isolated series as an example?
 
Only in your world is Amla at the same level as Kohli in ODIs. No team in the world - including SA - would think twice before playing Kohli ahead of Amla in their ODI team.

There are two major tests of an ODI batsman - ability to perform in big games, and the ability to handle pressure of chasing big totals. Amla is a massive failure at both.

Kohli is the greatest chaser of all time, and although he hasn't performed to his capacity in knockouts yet, but only a fool would write him off. As his career progresses, he is answering all the questions that has been asked of him. He is on his way to becoming one of the very, very best batsman in history, something that is beyond the reach of Amla.

Kohli has already surpassed the South African duo as a cricketer and the gap is only going to widen from here on.

An excellent post. No wonder u r widely considered as the best poster of this message board. Do u think kohli will surpass viv in ODIs?
 
Virat will end up as an ATG test batsmen and a GOAT odi batsmen IMO unless he fails to deliver up to expectations or limits his potential.

Smith may end as a GOAT test batsmen too but will only end as a very good batsmen in limited overs format.
 
Virat will end up as an ATG test batsmen and a GOAT odi batsmen IMO unless he fails to deliver up to expectations or limits his potential.

Smith may end as a GOAT test batsmen too but will only end as a very good batsmen in limited overs format.

He is in no way a very good LOI batsman...
Average batsman in ODIs and pathetic in T20Is
Definitely best in Test Cricket atm
 
An excellent post. No wonder u r widely considered as the best poster of this message board. Do u think kohli will surpass viv in ODIs?

Yes he is on his way. He is one great World Cup away from becoming the GOAT ODI batsman. At the moment, I would put him as #2 behind Viv.
 
Chasing is only half of the ODI game and therefore, it is not any more significant than setting a score, which can be just as challenging. Kohli is ahead of where Amla was at his age so I do believe Kohli will go down as the better player in LOIs.

There are many batsmen in the ODI game who are good at setting totals. Amla, Root, Williamson, Smith etc. etc. and more. They bat at a good tempo and maintain a good SR.

However, Kohli has no equal when it comes to chasing totals. We have had great top-order accumulators in the past as well as great finishers, but Kohli is the first top-order batsman to excel at both roles.

He is like Tendulkar/Ponting and Dhoni/Bevan rolled into one - it is laughable to put Amla at the same level. He is lightyears ahead as an ODI player.

Quite a few batsman can do what Amla does in ODIs, but only Kohli can do what Kohli does.
 
Virat has the same number of test hundreds as ABDV (21) having played 44 lesser tests!

Against top 6 teams, ABDV has only scored 4 away hundreds while Kohli has scored 10.

ABDV just hasn't done any justice to his talent in tests, a massive underachiever in my book. Kohli will easily surpass him in tests, if he hasn't yet.
 
@ proactive_ what's your opinion now, Sa must be a highway. In 3rd test too
 
Virat has the same number of test hundreds as ABDV (21) having played 44 lesser tests!

Against top 6 teams, <B>ABDV has only scored 4 away hundreds</B> while Kohli has scored 10.

ABDV just hasn't done any justice to his talent in tests, a massive underachiever in my book. Kohli will easily surpass him in tests, if he hasn't yet.

Actually 6. UAE is away.

2 in Aus, 2 in UAE, 1 in Eng, 1 in Ind.
 
I stand corrected.

Its still pretty surprising how he finds it so hard to score tons in tests.

Perhaps not as strong temperamentally as Smith, Kohli, Amla are in tests. You know these guys will reach 100 more often than not after getting a good start. AB throws it anytime or anywhere.

However, he has proved that he can score the runs in tough conditions and against top quality bowling attacks. Hence, still a fantastic test batsmen.
 
In tests it is AB/Amla > Smith > Kohli/Root > Wiliamson

Not just going off of current form but entire careers. Smith may well end up with the most runs, highest average and centuries. I don't think he can surpass Amla's class or AB's inventiveness. Kohli and Root are having a great battle, with Root like 150 runs ahead. Williamson is a great little battler and his century against the saffers was one of the best last year, he may well end up alongside Root and kOHLI.
 
Virat has the same number of test hundreds as ABDV (21) having played 44 lesser tests!

Against top 6 teams, ABDV has only scored 4 away hundreds while Kohli has scored 10.

ABDV just hasn't done any justice to his talent in tests, a massive underachiever in my book. Kohli will easily surpass him in tests, if he hasn't yet.

AB has many under-100 quality knocks:

33 at Adelaide
91 at Centurion vs MJ
Game changing 65 & 80 vs India
Game changing 83 vs NZ in NZ
 
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